Please help - Need Backpack or Daypack

[dental4usa]

I need a good, solid, sturdy pack that will allow me to carry all the things I need, PLUS a spare oxygen tank for my father. The M6 tanks don't last all that long, so when he's having chemo or at a prolonged doctor's appointment (read: waiting time!), then he is going to run out. I keep 3 or 4 in my vehicle at all times, but I always carry one in to any appointment that he has, to minimize the number of times I have to go out to the truck to get another one.

I have narrowed it down to 2 choices. I need it tall with at least 2600+ cu inches of space.

Here we go:

• Maxpedition Vulture-2 (#0514)
• Eagle A-III-P

Now keeping in mind that I am a Mom ...

I don't mind tactical so much in this case - backpacks are backpacks. I just want to see what you guys think.

I know there are other opinions of packs that are favored, but keep in mind that molle packs aren't really going to benefit me, and I don't have an immediate need to attach another pouch. That day may come, and it may not.

M6 Tank dimensions: 15.5" tall, 3" diameter

The sling pack I am currently carrying fits one, but just barely. I don't have enough room for other stuff, and I can't maneuver around at all in there!

That's why I'm looking for a very solid pack that is at least 19" high, if not 20+", and at least 14" wide and 7" deep. This is the MINIMUM I am looking for.

I don't want ginormous! But I do want some room, and stability - those things get heavy, believe it or not!

Thanks again! You guys are the best!!!

 

[Starshiptrupr]

I have an A-III-P-Large I really like. I think the only difference from the standard size is the height. (24" instead of 20") And of course I went for ginormous and have the accessory packs which attach to the sides. ~4000 cubic inches total I think.

A-III-P-L

 

[dental4usa]

Thanks for the reply!

So the Eagle is holding up well then? How long have you had it?

I need mine for a couple of books, kid activities, the oxygen tank, appointment book, kid snacks, and my EDC goodies (SAK, LM Wave, a light or 2, that sort of thing)!

Do you think the smaller one would fit me OK based on that?

 

[Jumpmaster]

Let me cogitate on this for a bit...

BTW, I wouldn't try to go with eagle unless you find a retailer that actually has one in stock, ready to ship. They are notorious for extremely long delays.

Ok...well, that is a good price on the eagle if they have it in stock. If you can pick up one with PALS webbing (for MOLLE pouches), that would be even better. I know you said you didn't need to be able to add pouches right now, but it would be better to have the ability and not need to than need to and have to get a different pack.

Also, if you get one that has PALS webbing, you can probably locate a MOLLE pouch that will fit the tank. They make them in many, many shapes and sizes now. Might free up more space on the inside of the pack.

If country of origin isn't really important, you could probably pick up a Camelbak for a good price and they hold up fairly well. You could put the tank in place of the hydration bladder.

Maxpedition also makes excellent quality products. The PALS webbing is a bit stiff for me and makes it extremely difficult for me (and apparently many others, from what I've read) to attach/remove MOLLE pouches. Again though, if you don't need to do that, no worries there. Also, Maxpedition's bags are very stiff whereas eagle's are more pliable, if that makes sense.

I'd have to give a slight edge to eagle as they are manufactured in the US and I've been very impressed with the quality and design of holsters and bags I've bought from them in the past. Just be aware that there can be EXTREME delays getting anything out of them. Always call first just to make sure they (or a retailer) has it. Many retailers say they stock and sell eagle products, but in reality many just drop ship -- whenever eagle feels like it.

So...I'd probably go with the AIII-P or the MOLLE version just so you'll have more room to add on later. You wouldn't believe how nice it is to be able to customize your load-carrying options based on different situations. It's really very convenient. You could get some innocuous color that doesn't look very tactical -- maybe desert tan? Or "ranger" green...might help in case you're concerned about funny looks from the...umm..."uninitiated". (All my stuff is ACU, so I get funny looks from them all the time and go about my business, blissfully not caring about it. )

JM-99

 

[Malpaso]

Look for a Camelbak BFM on ebay. They are quality products, are the size you are looking for, and can be gotten for around $100 if you look hard enough. You just can't guarantee the color at that price.

 

[elgarak]

I have the Maxpedition Vulture, the previous version of the Vulture-2. I also have the Baby Condor as my daypack, and I'm very satisfied how both hold up. The Vulture-2 should have no problem to hold everything you listed, organized in a way to get it in and out easily. I had the Vulture as my carry-on for my Germany trip recently, and drove TSA crazy with the sheer amount of stuff I had put in there . It's a pretty big pack, but still easy to use when not so full, thanks to the compression straps (I would not recommend the Maxpedition Babies for you due to their lack of straps).

 

[dental4usa]

Elgarak, thank you for your comments. I will make sure that I get lots of straps. It does sound like the smaller versions would not be good. Malpaso, I will check out Camelbak - thanks!

JM - if Max tends to be stiffer overall, then maybe I do want to lean towards the Eagle Ind. then. I bought a Fatboy not long ago - still has the tags because I never used it. It seems very very stiff to me, and I don't like it! I thought it would be just the ticket, but after I put it on and adjusted the straps, it was clear that it just wasn't going to work for me. I need to get that listed for sale, now that I think about it...

Anyway, I think I will see if the Eagle is really ready to ship and check out a couple of other things. I really like Maxpedition, but I guess it will have to be for other things.

Thank you very much everyone! You've really helped a lot!

 

[benchmade_boy]

one pack i really like is the camelbak Talon, it looks to be a great pack. i have two camelbaks and my civilian issue one is a lot looser than the military edition one.

 

[Jumpmaster]

"civilian issue"?

That's because the civilian models are made with 500D packcloth and the military ones are made with 1000D Cordura. The civilian ones feel a lot different to me also.

One thing that bothers me about even the military ones is the interior organization is constructed of 500D instead of 1000D. I guess it saves on weight, but I just don't like it. Feels cheesy.

JM-99

 

[benchmade_boy]

yeah i agree Jumpmaster, i like the 1000cordura a lot more, and it seems ssooo much more tougher. and i agree on the inside orginizer too, when i put my saftey pins in my pack i didnt put it on the 500d as i felt if i pulled on the saftey pins it might rip so i stuck them through the cordura.

 

[roadie]

Nevertheless, if u are planning to carry more than 10kg +/- in a bag, its wise to use a bag with frame.

if less than 16kg or so, AL stays will do, if more, u need to use more heavier duty ones like a ALICE frame.

Words from a hiker ....... (cries from

Brand of a pack is usually define by their quality overall, and either if is 1000 denier or 600s or 400s, well more number = tougher materials .... withstand longer abuse.

Finally, the mother of all most important is how much u willing to pay for this pack, and u prefer to have it 'all' yr life or change a pack every few years ....

anyway, happy shopping ....

 

[Strauss]

I think you should check out my for sale post in the non-lights section. I have a Blackhawk patrol bag with a compression sack that can attach to the pack which would hold the tank quite well. I am selling the combo at a great price...worth a look for sure!

 

[John N]

If you are going to be lugging an O2 bottle around, you probably want a pack with a frame. Note the Maxpedition packs don't have frames, dunno about Eagle. The Kifaru.net packs do, but my understanding is they tend to have long delivery times.

-john

 

[kitelights]

The tank inside cocked or on one side is going to make the pack very unbalanced. If not for the space that the tank will take up, do you need very much space?

I'd suggest either laying it down flat in the bottom of a large enough pack or even better, attaching it to the outside on the bottom. You could find or make a padded case for the tank to make it easier and offer a little protection.

A large lumbar pack might be just the ticket. I use two different ones and rarely use them as a fanny pack. I use a shoulder strap and carry handle most often. Some you can get with a traditional 2 strap harness, too. I have occasionally carried large, heavy or bulky items attached to the bottom. Not as good as a frame, but much better balanced than loose in a larger pack.

 

[Blades]

The sling pack I am currently carrying fits one, but just barely. I don't have enough room for other stuff, and I can't maneuver around at all in there!

What kind of slingpack do you have?? Just wondering.
I would pick the Eagle over the Max.


Blades

 

[Hooligan]

You can get a frame sheet for the Eagle pack.

I have an Eagle made Lightfighter RAID pack (same footprint as an AIII but it's just laid out differently) and I can tell you that this pack is built TOUGH. I don't think you will wear it out, even carrying an oxygen tank around.

There are places other than directly from Eagle that you can get the AIII from...I have purchased several times from www.skdtac.com . They have quick shipping and stock status is updated on all of their stuff so you know if it's backordered or not.

 

[dental4usa]

My sling pack is an East Sport, and the stitching is coming undone because of the weight.

Hooligan, I will keep the frame idea in mind .. I just ordered the Eagle from Elite Tactical Sources, it should be here hopefully the beginning of next week.

I will use the pack for kid stuff (books, crayons, snacks) and my stuff (EDC, book(s), appointment book, notebook). The oxygen bottle will ride along inside, as it does in my current pack - I'll just have more room!

I shouldn't be carrying more than 10 pounds - key word: "shouldn't"!! I'll weigh it all when I get it loaded up and see.

I think the frame idea is a good one if I need more support or it feels too heavy .. or if the bottle is rolling around, for that matter.

I bought the 2 accessory pouches that go on either side of the pack on the outside, as well. I got a great deal, so I went ahead and got them now.

Thanks again for all the ideas, guys! I will keep checking the thread to see what else pops up here. I will post again after I start using the pack and let you know how it turns out!

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

I wonder why nobody suggested Deuter backpacks...

 

[Blades]

My sling pack is an East Sport, and the stitching is coming undone because of the weight.

Thanks!! I am always interested in a sling pack that holds up. At least for alittle while.



Blades

 

[Jumpmaster]

There are places other than directly from Eagle that you can get the AIII from...I have purchased several times from www.skdtac.com . They have quick shipping and stock status is updated on all of their stuff so you know if it's backordered or not.

Thanks for the link to them...I'm about to order a couple of HSGI EOD pouches...

JM-99